日本が誇る刀鍛冶の凄さを紹介した動画について こちらの動画は「ANA Global Channel」が公開した「Japanese swordsmith／Interview - IS JAPAN COOL? CRAFTSMANSHIP（刀鍛冶）」です。 日本には、昔から様々な伝統技術が存在します。 ものによっては数千年のノウハウが蓄積されており、今日まで受け継がれています。 日本を観光する際、日本で培われた伝統技術や職人技をその目で確かめてみるのも楽しみ方の一つ。 今回は日本の刀鍛冶に関する動画を紹介します。 刀鍛冶に関する細かな知識についても触れていくので、日本の伝統技術に興味のある方は一度参考にしてください。 日本の伝統技術の一つ「刀鍛冶」って一体何？ 刀鍛冶とは、日本刀を作る職人のこと。 刀鍛冶になるためには、刀匠資格を持つ刀鍛冶の下で5年以上修業してから文化庁主催の美術刀剣刀匠技術保存研修会を修了しないといけません。 一人前の職人として活躍するには、何年もの時間が必要ということです。 有名な刀鍛冶に正宗や村正、虎徹が挙げられます。 ゲームや漫画等で一度はその名を目にしたという方もいるのではないでしょうか？ 1本1本の名刀には長い歴史があるので、興味のある方は気になる名刀や刀工について調べてみると良いかもしれません。 ちなみに日本の刀鍛冶が作る包丁は海外の方から日本刀のような切れ味と評価されており、高い技術を持った刀鍛冶職人が日本にいることが分かります。 日本で刀鍛冶による職人技を見る 日本の伝統技術をこの目で見たい方も多いと思います。 どこに行けば伝統的な職人技を見られるかを知っておかないといけません。 そのためには、日本の刀鍛冶の工房がどこにあるかを押さえておくことが必要です。 京都府の亀岡市に伝統的な刀鍛冶の技術を学べる工房があります。 将大鍛刀場はJR亀岡駅からタクシーで約20分の所にあります。 日本刀の文化を学んだり、和式ナイフや刀剣を作る体験ができます。 伝統的な職人技を体験したいといった方にうってつけのスポットです。 日本の伝統技術の一つ「刀鍛冶」紹介まとめ 日本には数多くの伝統文化や職人技が存在します。 今回紹介した動画で刀鍛冶の世界を知るきっかけになったのではないでしょうか。 日本の伝統文化や職人技は皆さんが思っている以上に奥深いのです。

日本の伝統「茶道」について こちらの動画は「ANA Global Channel」が公開した「SADO - Soshin Kimura／Interview - IS JAPAN COOL? DOU （茶道 - 木村 宗慎）」です。 今回は茶道家「木村 宗慎」と一緒に茶道の真髄を動画で体験しましょう。 究極のおもてなしとも言われる茶道はどのように日本にもたらされ、また発展してきたのでしょうか？ 日本の伝統文化、茶道とは 伝統文化として知られてきた「茶道」ですが、その所作や道具ひとつひとつには、お客様のために濃縮されたおもてなしの心が込められています。 茶道は英語で「Tea ceremony」と略されますが、形式的なセレモニーではなく心と心の真剣勝負であるという雰囲気が動画からビシビシと伝わってきます。 茶道は伝統的な作法にのっとり、客人に抹茶を振る舞うことです。 別名をお茶会や茶の湯とも言います。 茶葉は中国から伝えられ、本来は気付けや眠気覚しの薬として貴族の間で重宝されたものが起源とされています。 ここからお茶そのものを楽しむ文化が誕生し、室町時代〜安土桃山時代にかけて武士の精神性を高めるための作法の「禅宗」と融合し今の「茶道」が誕生したと言われています。 茶道を体系付けたのは千利休とされていますが、これには諸説ありますが、日本で一番普及している茶道は千家と言われる流派で、これには表千家と裏千家という二大流派があります。 茶道家「木村 宗慎」を紹介 「木村 宗慎」は1976年愛知県宇和島市生まれ。 小さい頃から裏千家を学び、神戸大学を卒業後も茶道を中心に執筆活動や茶道教室を主宰し、茶道を国際的に広めるために海外にも活躍の場を広げています。 現在は主に京都と東京に茶道教室を開き数多くの門下生に伝統文化である茶の心を伝えているので、「木村 宗慎」の主宰する茶道教室で今回の動画で紹介したような究極のおもてなしを体験することができます。 日本の伝統文化「茶道」紹介まとめ こちらの動画では「心」や「道」といった精神が日本の伝統文化や歴史に与えている影響の大きさを知ることができます。 あなたも是非日本の伝統文化に触れてみてはいかがですか。

Bashofu - A Traditional Craft of Okinawa This video, titled "手技TEWAZA「喜如嘉の芭蕉布」Kijoka Banana fiber Cloth／伝統工芸 青山スクエア Japan traditional crafts Aoyama Square," was released by Japan Traditional Crafts Aoyama. Bashofu is a cloth woven from the fiber of the Japanese banana plant. Most of Bashofu is made in Okinawa Prefecture and the Amami Islands, and in particular, the Kijoka area of Ogimi Village in Okinawa Prefecture is a major production area referred to as "Bashofu no Sato" (lit. "The Village of Bashofu"). The History of Okinawa's Bashofu The origin of Bashofu is not 100% clear, but it is known that it was already being made with advanced technology in Ryukyu by the 16th century. The royalty and warriors of the Ryukyu Kingdom used to wear lavish costumes. Their wives were said to have worn beautiful Bashofu garments. Throughout its long history, Bashofu has continued to be made in Okinawa as we know it today. The handmade bashofu of Kijoka is especially beautiful and the detail of the artisans is absolutely astonishing. Purchasing Traditional Handmade Bashofu It takes a long time to produce traditional Bashofu, so only about 119,000 sq. meters of it are produced each year. However, in order to spread the beautiful texture of Bashofu, efforts are being made to pass on techniques and train successors. Kijoka's Bashofu, known as Okinawa's traditional fabric, is sold as a variety of traditional handicrafts on the island. In addition to traditional kimonos and obis, modern shirts, bags, key chains, tapestries, and other accessories are also available. In addition to buying a kimono, you can also make your own custom-made item using scraps of kimono fabric. Summary of Kijoka-Bashofu As you can see in the video, Okinawa's Kijoka-Bashofu is a beautiful and delicate traditional craft. At the Bashofu Museum in Ogimi Village, you can learn more about the traditional skills and techniques of the artisans who weave Bashofu. When you visit Kijoka, be sure to visit the Bashofu Museum to learn more about one of Okinawa's industries, the traditional Japanese craft of Bashofu!

The battlefield of Iwo Jima The video "Touring the battlefields of Iwo Jima = a scorching underground moat, and group burial ground（硫黄島の戦跡を巡る＝灼熱の地下壕、集団埋葬地）is by "時事通信トレンドニュース" (Current Trending News and Events). World War II left many scars in Japan. However, since many historical facts have been twisted, many people still do not know what the Pacific War and former Japanese army were like. One remnant of them is the tragic battlefield of Iwo Jima. In the Showa era, it was taught that the only decisive battle that took place on Japan's home soil was fought in Okinawa Prefecture. However, it was the small island of Iwo Jima (8.1 mi²) near the Ogasawara Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean, where (before the battle in Okinawa) a decisive land battle took place . Many civilians lived on Iwo Jima before the war, but due to the war, Iwo Jima became a fierce battleground, and many civilians who could not flee to the mainland in time, as well as Lieutenant General Tadashi Kuribayashi and many other soldiers, were killed in battle. The movie "Letters from Iwo Jima" starring Ken Watanabe and Kazunari Ninomiya of the band "Arashi" is one of the few movies that tells of the fierce battle of Iwo Jima. In this article, I will introduce the history of Iwo Jima along with a video introducing the island. What is Iwo Jima? Was the Iwo Jima landing plan the cornerstone of Japan's defeat? Photo：Iwo Jima Iwo Jima is one of Ogasawara's villages, and Ogasawara itself belongs to Tokyo. Eruptions continue to occur on the small volcanic island located approximately 1,200 km from the 23 wards of Tokyo. From 0:06 in the beginning of the video, you can see the mural created by the US military in the northern part of Iwo Jima. The mural depicts the famous scene of the Marines who landed on Iwo Jima setting the Stars and Stripes on Mt.Suribachi. Resentful that only these people were treated as heroes, other US military members shot at the mural. Being that it’s a battlefield, from 1:45 in the video we can see the battered Armstrong gun that was hit by bombs, as well as some of the un-exploded shells that have been excavated. And from 3:33 in the video, the remains of the abandoned Sherman tank that the US Army destroyed are shown on the battlefield. Source of photo :YouTube screenshot The Iwo Jima landing plan by the US Army was called Operation Detachment. From the beginning of the war, there was a clear difference between the Japanese and Allied forces. However, the geothermal heat of Iwo Jima, which is an active volcano, is high and it is said that the underground bunker had the appearance of scorching hell. At 0:40 in the video, we see one of the battlefields that was used as a hospital, and when entering the back of the Navy Medical Department trench, the geothermal heat causes the camera lens to fog in an instant, making you wonder just how hot it really is. In addition, it was reported that the toxic gas from the underwater volcano filled the assault trench and it was used as a defensive tactic when in danger of defeat. The former Japanese army, while exposed to the double hardships of the US military and the natural environment of Iwo Jima, persisted for about a month in the battle of Iwo Jima, which was said have been decided in only 3 days' time. Spending this much time on Iwo Jima shows that the island was an important base for the U.S. forces to capture if they wanted to take mainland Japan. The remains of the battle of Iwo Jima Photo：Iwo Jima Currently, the general public cannot visit Iwo Jima, but once a year there is a tour to see the battlefields of the three Iwo Jima islands. Open to the public are the mass burial grounds, the murals that were used as propaganda in the United States after the war and that are said to have been shot at by US soldiers, as well as the Osakayama artillery battery and the battlefield housing the ashes of war. At other times, the Maritime Self-Defense Force is stationed there, where they train and collect remains from the war, so it is a restricted area. Summary of the battlefield of Iwo Jima video Source of photo :YouTube screenshot After the war, Japan was under American occupation, and Iwo Jima became an area where the Japanese were not allowed to set foot until autonomy was restored. The surviving islanders were chased from their homes, and scattered all over the country, and even now, they can only return home to Iwo Jima once a year. As you can see from the video 2:14, the official document released by the United States states that 2,000 sets of ashes have been buried in the ashes containment area, but more than 60% of Iwo Jima's dead still rest on the island to this day. Learn the history of Japan from its scars, that we do not repeat the tragedies of war. 【Tripadvisor】Iwo Jima https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g1137885-Iwo_Jima_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto-Vacations.html

伝統工芸「京指物」紹介動画について こちらの動画は「伝統工芸 青山スクエア」が公開した「手技TEWAZA「京指物」kyo-sahimono joinery／伝統工芸 青山スクエア Japan traditional crafts Aoyama Square」です。 多くの観光客が訪れる京都には京指物と呼ばれる伝統工芸があります。 京都観光を楽しむ方は是非チェックしてください。 京指物とは一体どのように作られるのか 1つの京指物ができるまでにいくつもの制作工程があります。 動画をご覧になれば素材選びから完成までのイメージを掴めるのではないでしょうか。 まずは素材となる木を乾燥させ、荒木取と呼ばれる木の余分な部分を切り落とす工程が行われます。 続いてに木を矯正・荒削りして状態を整えたら仕口ホゾ接ぎと呼ばれる工程に移ります。 微調整しながら組み立てていくのがポイントです。 加工された部分に接着剤を塗って接合した後、平鉋(ひらがんな)で滑らかさや丸みを出す仕上削りが行われます。 その後、表面を研磨する仕上加工と呼ばれる工程で木の特長を引き出します。 最後は文様などを付ける加飾加工を行えば京指物のできあがりです。 気になる京指物の作品 京指物は茶道具をはじめ、桐箱や米櫃、調味料入れ、おちょこなどがあります。 通販サイトでは、いろいろな京指物が販売されているので、きっとお気に入りの作品が見つかるでしょう。 京指物紹介まとめ 京都は多くの観光客で賑わっており、日本の伝統工芸や歴史などを勉強するなら一度は訪れたい場所です。 今回紹介した動画をきっかけに日本の伝統工芸や京都について興味を持ってもらえれば幸いです。

日本の観光地「三重県鈴鹿市」のプロモーション動画について 「CitySuzuka」が制作した「鈴鹿市PR動画」では、世界中から注目を浴びるモータースポーツを中心に日本の伝統工芸品や特産物など三重県鈴鹿市の魅力をたっぷりと紹介している動画です。 こちら記事では、日本の観光地である三重県鈴鹿市の魅力を動画とともに紹介します。 日本の観光地「三重県鈴鹿市」はモータースポーツの聖地 三重県の鈴鹿市と言えば、モータースポーツが浮かぶ人が多いのではないでしょうか？ 世界の頂点と言われる「F1日本グランプリ」や、真夏の祭典「鈴鹿8時間耐久ロードレース」など世界中から注目を浴びる大会が開催されています。 動画では0:24から紹介されています。 これらのレースが開催されているモータースポーツの聖地が鈴鹿サーキット。 迫力あるバイクレースを目当てに国内外から多くの観戦客が訪れます。 プロのバイクレーサーによる圧倒的な迫力に目を奪われるでしょう。 三重県鈴鹿市を観光するときにモータースポーツは必見ですよ！ 日本の観光地「三重県鈴鹿市」は伝統工芸も盛ん 外国人の方々が日本を観光するときは日本の文化に触れたいですよね。 三重県鈴鹿市の周辺は日本の伝統工芸が盛んな場所でもあります。 動画の1:00から紹介されている文様が美しい伊勢型紙は、職人の匠の技によって作られる伝統工芸。 彫刻刀で綺麗に彫られた作品は芸術品のようです。 また、動画の1:18から紹介されている鈴鹿墨は墨の発色は良く、上品で深みのある墨。 鈴鹿市の気候風土により、滑らかな墨が出来上がります。 もの作りの町である三重県鈴鹿市。 自分のお気に入りの工芸品を見つけるために、お店を巡るのも旅行の楽しみのひとつです。 日本の観光地「三重県鈴鹿市」は自然やグルメなどの魅力も 三重県鈴鹿市は他にもさまざまな魅力があふれています。 「かぶせ茶」「鈴鹿抹茶」「日本酒」「地酒」といった鈴鹿市の特産物。 また「鈴鹿バルーンフェスティバル」「鈴鹿シティマラソン」「すずフェス」「鈴鹿げんき花火大会」といったみんなで楽しめるイベントも充実しています。 また、鈴鹿市は四季折々の自然の絶景を見ることができます。 春は桜が咲きほこり、夏は青々とした海の景色、秋の紅葉のしんみりした景観、冬の山に積もった雪の景勝など季節によって感じが変わる風景を楽しめますよ。 他にも椿大神社や勝速日神社、鈴鹿の森庭園、鈴鹿フラワーパーク、石垣池公園などインスタ映えスポットがたくさんあります。 日本の観光地「三重県鈴鹿市」の記事のまとめ 三重県鈴鹿市はモータースポーツや日本の伝統工芸、美しい景色を楽しめる人気の観光地。 動画をご覧になればきっとお気に入りのスポットが見つかりますよ。

大自然に囲まれた宮崎県綾町の魅力紹介動画について こちらの動画は「宮崎県町村会」が公開した「綾町」です。 宮崎県の綾町は、日本最大の照葉樹林が世界中から高い評価を受け、日本の名観光地としてユネスコエコパークに登録されています。 日本を象徴する大自然の美しさ、まずは動画でご堪能ください。 宮崎県綾町には照葉樹林の他にも、綾南川・照葉大吊橋など、見るものを圧倒する自然が至るところに広がっています。 自然生態系農業の先駆者・宮崎県綾町 宮崎県綾町は、自然生態系を生かして育てる町として全国に先駆けて活動していることでも有名。 自然生態系農業から産まれた人参やきゅうりといった野菜は、厳しい基準や審査を受けて出荷されているため、他の野菜と比べてもかなり品質が高いのです。 お土産としてもおすすめ。 宮崎は馬の産地としても有名で、宮崎県綾町の周辺では頻繁に草競馬を楽しむ人々の姿があります。 普通の競馬場よりも観客との距離が近く、競走馬の迫力をより身近に感じることができますよ。 宮崎県綾町は昔から木工芸が盛んな町でもあり、箸置きや将棋盤などの生産地としても知られており、日本有数の名産地です。 食卓の雰囲気をガラリと変える雰囲気ある箸置きからは、職人の熱意と技が感じられるでしょう。 アウトドアとしても楽しめるのが宮崎県綾町の魅力 アウトドアスポットも人気が高く、広沢ダムでの水上スキーは爽快そのもの。 人目を気にすることなく綺麗な水の上を滑ることができます。 宮崎県綾町は日本の中でも有数の大自然が広がり、気候が安定しているため、学生の部活動の合宿地としての人気も高いです。 日本中のスポーツマンが集まります。 景色・景観も素晴らしいですよ。 そして夜になると、たくさんのゲンジホタルが街中を乱舞します。 水が綺麗な宮崎県綾町ならではの光景に、時間を忘れてしまうでしょう。 ゲンジホタルの乱舞は動画内でも紹介されています。 ぜひご覧になってくださいね。 グルメの舌を唸らせる食品の数々！ 自然の魅力がたっぷりの宮崎県綾町ですが、観光だけではありません。 酒泉の杜からも連想されるように、安定した気候からなる芳醇なワインは世界中のワイン好きを唸らせます。 アウトドアを楽しんだ夜はホテルでワインに酔いしれるのも良いですね。 宮崎名産のお酒の魅力もさることながら、やはり一番有名なのは地鶏ではないでしょうか。 地鶏の美味しさを求めて宮崎県に訪れる方は多く、もちろんこの宮崎県綾町の地鶏も格別ですよ。 宮崎県綾町の美味しい水で作る地鶏の水炊き鍋は、絶品中の絶品。 宮崎県綾町紹介まとめ 日本屈指の自然とグルメに溢れたこの宮崎県綾町をたっぷりに詰め込んだ動画をぜひ一度ご覧になってみてください。 宮崎県綾町の綺麗な水上を走るウォータースポーツ、競走馬の迫力など、アウトドア好きにもたまらない内容になっていますよ。 動画で宮崎県綾町の魅力を知れば、きっと宮崎県綾町に足を運びたくなるでしょう。

This video, titled "[RARE RED SEA URCHIN] Sushi Making! Can only get about 10 in a day.," was released by "きまぐれクックKimagure Cook." Sushi and other types of seafood are popular in Japan, but at a typical sushi bar or Japanese restaurant, you'll find mostly seafood such as tuna, bonito, and salmon roe. In this video, you can see how the rare red sea urchin is prepared and eaten as sushi or cooked over a flame. The red sea urchin is so rare that you can dive for a day and find only about 10 of them. There are only a few Japanese restaurants that serve red sea urchin. If you have the opportunity to try it, we highly recommend it!

This video, released by "TOKYO MX," is titled "150,000 Yen per Night! A Luxury Campground in Okutama, Tokyo" (1泊15万円！　東京・奥多摩町に豪華キャンプ場). It covers glamping in Okutama, Tokyo, and is perfect for those looking to enjoy the outdoors in Tokyo. You can check out the inside of the tent at 0:47. It's worth watching if you're looking for a place where you can enjoy a stylish space in Tokyo's outdoors. You can also check out the chef serving up a course at 1:06. If there are any foodies out there we recommend this video to you as well. The video is short, at just ~3 minutes long, so if you're interested in the outdoors, be sure to check it out.

This video, titled "Mukaitaki Ryokan, Higashiyama Hot Springs (3) | nippon.com," was released by "nippon.com." Aizuwakamatsu is a tourist destination in Fukushima Prefecture in Japan's Tohoku region. In addition to famous scenic spots, such as Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro, there are also many historical and archaeological sites from the Warring States period and the last days of the Tokugawa shogunate. However, due to the reputational damage caused by the nuclear power plant accident, many inns and other businesses began to struggle to get by. However, there is one ryokan that has endured the hard times and improved. That is, the long-established ryokan called Mukaitaki in Higashiyama Onsen, located about 10 minutes from Aizuwakamatsu Station. Since its establishment in the Edo period as a health resort for the Aizu clan, it has been visited by many celebrities, and its wooden sukiya-zukuri architecture is a nationally registered tangible cultural property. The charm of this ryokan lies in the fact that it retains the atmosphere of the time when Hideyo Noguchi and Hirobumi Ito stayed there. Rather than adding new facilities, the inn has become a thriving ryokan with regular visitors as a result of valuing the fact that the space from that time period can be shared with others.

This video, titled "Japan Handicrafts x Komamura Seimei-do" (ニッポン手仕事図鑑 × 駒村清明堂), was released by "Japan Handicrafts" (ニッポン手仕事図鑑). Amidst the sound of the waterwheel, what is being carefully prepared is a cedar incense stick made by Komamura Seimei-do, which has been made for over 100 years since the Meiji Era. What makes it unique is that Komamura Seimei-do is the only company in Ibaraki Prefecture that makes incense sticks using waterwheels. It takes about 40 hours to slowly grind the dried cedar leaves, which are more than 50 years old, to prevent the fragrance of the cedar from escaping. Spring water from Mt. Tsukuba is the only other ingredient combined with the ground cedar leaves. The incense sticks are 100% additive-free and derived from nature in Ibaraki. Many buyers are fascinated by the elegant fragrance that makes you feel as if you're bathing in a forest and come to experience the work or visit the factory.

This video, titled "WreckDiving～Shirahama Shipwreck～ -Spring 2020-" (WreckDiving～白浜沈船～　－2020春－), was released by published by "Pro Diver Cati's Sea Channel" (プロダイバーCatiの海チャンネル). The artifacts sunk to the sea become the perfect home for sea creatures. The Shirahama Shipwreck is one of them, and a variety of fish have come to live there. In the town of Shirahama, Wakayama, a 31-meter long ship sank at a depth of 18 meters. The Shirahama Shipwreck was originally intended as a wreck point, and the ship was artificially sunk. The video shows what the wreck looks like. Around the wreck, you can find scorpionfish, cardinalfish, white sea slugs, red Lionfish, flounders, groupers, moray, and a great variety of creatures living around the shipwreck.

This video is titled "Ikebukuro・Halloween Cosplay Parade in Ikebukuro! Sexy ONE PIECE Team and Cool Metal Gear! Ikebukuro Cosplay Vol. 1" (池袋でハロウィン・コスプレパレード！SexyなONE PIECEチームやカッコいいメタルギアも♪池袋街コスレポVol.1). It was released by "ikebukurotv." The Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival introduced in the video, is a Halloween event held every year around Halloween, in which many cosplayers participate. The event is sponsored by Dwango, Toshima Ward, and Sunshine, which runs the video service niconico. You can enjoy delicious food in cosplay on the streets and there are also stage events. This video shows the cosplay parade that takes place on Sunshine Street! Cosplayers are also asked what it is they enjoy about cosplay in interviews in the video!

The Long History of the Japanese Kimono This video, titled "Kimono inspired by the ‘street’, Jotaro Saito | V&A" was created by "Victoria and Albert Museum." The kimono is an important part of Japanese culture. The knowledge and techniques required to create beautiful kimono have been passed down for centuries. Have you ever heard of Jotaro Saito? The video will introduce the kimono designer, whose work is famous both inside and outside of Japan. In the article, we'll provide supplementary information about Jotaro Saito. If you're interested in traditional Japanese culture, we highly recommend checking out the video! Introducing Jotaro Saito Source :YouTube screenshot In this video, Jotaro Saito talks about how his kimonos are made. There are English subtitles available for those who don't speak Japanese. Jotaro Saito was born in Kyoto in 1961. His family owns a well-established dyeing store that has been in business for over 80 years. He was brought up in an environment surrounded by kimono. In the interview, Jotaro Saito talks about how his kimono are designed to bring out a woman's sexiness. He also explains that "street" is the main source of inspiration for his designs from 0:46 in the video. From 2:56 in the video, Jotaro Saito touches on the manufacturing process and areas of specialization, such as embroidery, that make up the design of his kimonos. You can also take a look at how the designs are hand-drawn onto the kimono in the video. It's a very informative video for anyone wanting to learn more about the kimono-making process and how kimono patterns are created. More About the Famous Kimono Designer Jotaro Saito Source :YouTube screenshot Jotaro Saito is a kimono designer who was born in Kyoto prefecture. His grandfather, Saizaburo Saito (斉藤才三郎) was a dye artist and his father, Sansai Saito (斉藤三才), a kimono designer. At the young age of 27, Jotaro debuted as a kimono designer and began creating modern kimono to fit the lives of people today. His kimono designs are based on the Yuzen dyeing method (友禅) which he learned from his father. This method of dyeing is combined with special weaving techniques to create truly unique kimono designs. Jotaro Saito is also famous for his interior design work in buildings such as the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto (ザ・リッツ・カールトン京都) and the Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa (グランドプリンスホテル新高輪). He also runs his own café called JOTARO SAITO in Ginza (銀座). Make sure to stop by during your trip to Japan and have a look at some of the Jotaro Saito goods for sale! Jotaro Saito's work is being recognized worldwide and his kimonos have been featured in Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo and he has even had the opportunity to create outfits for Lady Gaga. Learn More About Japanese Culture! Source :YouTube screenshot Jotaro Saito is a world-renown kimono designer. For those interested in traditional Japanese clothing, such as kimono, furisode and yukata, we highly recommend taking a look at some of Jotaro Saito's beautiful kimono in the video!

This video is titled "1000 Year Old Japanese Bonsai Tree Adventure ★ ONLY in JAPAN." It was released by "WAO RYU!ONLY in JAPAN." The video introduces the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture. The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum has more than 1000 bonsai trees on display. At 2:00 in the video, you can see an interview with a staff member of the museum as well. Be sure to check out the beautiful bonsai featured in the video!

Introduction to Osaka Metro’s “Facial Recognition Ticket Gates” Today, we'll introduce “Osaka Metro Starts Testing Facial Recognition Ticket Gates（【改札機「顔パス」通過 大阪メトロが実証実験】)" a video by Kyodo News. This is a news video of Osaka Metro starting the testing of facial recognition ticket gates, in anticipation of the World Expo in Kansai. In December 2019, Osaka Metro released information of the next generation facial recognition ticket gates. By registering your faces photo data in advance, you can pass through ticket gates with facial recognition without using the conventional tickets and IC cards, which is an amazing technology. In the video, you can see Japan’s cutting edge technology. Please enjoy. What Kind of System Is Osaka Metro’s Facial Recognition Ticket Gate? Source :YouTube screenshot Osaka Metro installed the test ticket gate at the Dome-mae Chiyozaki Station on the Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line in Osaka City’s west ward, and demonstrated its use before the media. As seen from 0:07 in the video, there are cameras set at the ticket gates, and these cameras recognize people’s faces passing through the gate, and the gate immediately opens. If people don’t need to take out tickets and IC cards, they can use stations without stress even when carrying heavy luggage or shopping bags. You can see in the video from 1:18 a passenger carrying big bags on both hands passing through the gate smoothly. The scene of passengers passing through the gate with facial recognition is introduced in the video from 0:26. In the video, Osaka Metro workers are shown passing through the gate with facial recognition, but in the future, they will build up systems so that ordinary passengers can use it as well. The Installation and Future Prospects of Osaka Metro’s Facial Recognition Ticket Gates Photo：Ticket gates Maybe it won’t be too long until people are passing the ticket gates with facial recognition and ticket vending machines disappear from stations. If no ticket vending machines are needed, it will be a cost reduction for railway companies, so it can be said that there are many benefits. This system is only a system using facial recognition technology, so if you are wearing masks and hats it leads to matching failure, and the gates don’t open. From now on, they will brush up the technology to improve on the ease of use for passengers. Summary of Osaka Metro’s Facial Recognition Ticket Gates Source :YouTube screenshot Technology of ticket gates opening through facial recognition is unprecedented, and Osaka Metro is garnering a lot of attention for this first attempt. Osaka Metro aims to install the facial recognition ticket gates to all stations by fiscal year 2024, in time for the World Expo in Osaka. These days, many technologies have become wide spread, such as cashless payments and QR codes. It can be said that these facial recognition ticket gates are one of these shifts toward the next-generation. 【Official Website】Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/

About the Edo Sashimono Introductory Video This video, titled "Edo Sashimono, Traditional Furniture Made Without Using Nails - Tokyo Craftsman" (釘を使わない伝統の家具 東京職人「江戸指物」), was released by "Kyodo News." In Japan, there is a traditional way of building, creating furniture, and woodworking without using a single nail. This woodworking technique is called "sashimono" and has a long history dating back to the Heian Period (794-1185). Professionals who build Japanese shrines are called Kudenshi (宮殿師, "Buddhist altar craftsmen") or Miyadaiku (宮大工, temple carpenters), and it is said that the methods for crafting Edo Sashimono were inherited from these craftsmen. The origin of the name "sashimono" comes from fitting wood together (指, "sashi" means "put into"). You can see the female Edo Sashimono furniture craftsman "Motoko Kawauchi," who works at a workshop in Higashi-Nippori, Arakawa, Tokyo, in the video, carefully carving the mortice and tenon so that the dresser can be put together tightly. One can see that when the boards are put together, they fit together in a very satisfying way, creating a sturdy dresser. You can see a close look at the mortises at 1:02 in the video. Traditional Sashimono Craftsman Source :YouTube screenshot Unlike ordinary furniture craftsmen, Edo Sashimono, which is inherited from the advanced woodworking techniques of traditional Japanese craftsmen, the people who specialize in this are called "Sashimonoshi" (指物師). The history of the sashimonoshi is long, and it is said that it was during the Muromachi Period (1336-1573) that the techniques began to be passed down for a profession. The main crafts of Edo Sashimono consists of chests and shelves. Since ancient times, sashimono were used by noble houses and aristocrats in Kyoto and in the Edo Period (1603-1868), when they became the purveyors to the Tokugawa Shogunate, many sashimono craftsmen were invited to Edo, and the furniture they made became so popular that it became indispensable to samurai life. Many Edo sashimonoshi lived in the current Taito Ward, which was lined with daimyo residences. From the remnants of those days, Edo Sashimono workshops are still concentrated around Tokyo's Taito Ward. Characteristics of the Edo Sashimono, a Traditional Japanese Craft Source :YouTube screenshot The characteristic of Edo Sashimono is the texture of woodwork furniture that makes the best use of the beauty of the wood grain. Also, because no nails are used, the appearance is clean and beautiful, and you can see from the video that the craftsmanship is utilized on all parts of the furniture. Edo Sashimono carves mortises and tenons so that the wooden joints cannot be seen from the outside when putting them together, because of this, the less you can see them, the higher the level of craftsmanship. Looking at the finished product of Edo Sashimono, you can see a glimpse of the simple and sturdy spirit of the craftsmen of the Edo Period. As shown at the end of the video, when you press one drawer, a different drawer pops out; which is evidence that the inside of the chest is very airtight because the wooden joints fit tightly together. The mortises are carved in such a way that if you put something in a drawer, the weight of it will prevent it from popping out. Edo sashimono craftsmen have passed down the traditional Japanese techniques to the present, from the selection of mulberry, zelkova, and paulownia wood to methods for assembling different pieces. You can see the beautiful completed wardrobe, like a work of art, from 3:03 in the video. Summary of Edo Sashimono, a Traditional Japanese Craft Source :YouTube screenshot In this article, we introduced Edo Sashimono, a traditional Japanese craft, alongside the video. When you go sightseeing in Japan, consider checking out an Edo Sashimono Exhibition and experiencing Edo Sashimono and the craftsmanship of traditional Japanese culture! 【Official Website】Edo Sashimono - Traditional Crafts | Taito Ward Official Traditional Crafts Site https://craft.city.taito.lg.jp/craft/893/

The Press Conference for Saori Yoshida Receiving the People’s Honor Award This video, titled "Aiming for 14 Consecutive Wins｜People's Honor Award" (「１４連覇を目指したい」 国民栄誉賞受賞の吉田選手), is from the press conference for female wrestler Saori Yoshida after she received the People’s Honor Award in 2012. Saori Yoshida is a former wrestler nicknamed the "Strongest Female Primate." She became a hot topic of conversation after wearing a gorgeous kimono to receive the People’s Honor Award. This article introduces Saori Yoshida, who received the People’s Honor Award, and also introduces the award itself. About Saori Yoshida 画像引用 :本記事動画 Saori Yoshida is a 157 cm tall (5'1"), former female wrestler with a plethora of records. Her father, Eikatsu Yoshida, is also a former wrestler and a coach. She retired from competing in 2019 and is now herself a coach. After her retirement, she went to work for YSW Tokyo, a company that her brother owns. Presently, she stars in commercials for companies such as ALSOK and also does other work in the entertainment industry. There were also rumors of marriage after her retirement; however, as of 2020, she is still single. These days, she is also very active on Instagram. Saori Yoshida's Impressive Record Source :YouTube screenshot Saori Yoshida has an unprecedented 16 consecutive wins at the world championships in the women’s individual wrestling matches, and in 2012, she received a Guinness Book of World Records certification for winning 13 consecutive titles. She also extended her winning streak at the All-Japan Championships and the World Cup to an unprecedented 206 consecutive individual wins. She won the Athens, Beijing, and London Olympics, and was captain of the Japanese team at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The People’s Honor Award Photo：Microphone The People’s Honor Award that Saori Yoshida received is, s one of Japan's Prime Minister's Commendation Awards. It was established in 1966 by Eisaku Sato and expanded the range of the Prime Minister’s Awards. The awardees are determined according to the criteria of the award, and Japanese citizens such as Sadaharu Oh, Shigeo Nagashima, Naomi Uemura, Naoko Takahashi, Yoshiharu Habu, and Yuzuru Hanyu have received the award in the past. Saori Yoshida, introduced in the video, is not only a People’s Honor awardee but also a recipient of the Medal of Honor with a Purple Ribbon. In the press conference, which can be seen from 0:14 in the video, she is seen saying “I want to continue to break world records,” and she did just that At the end of the press conference, she also goes on to say how she wants to visit hot springs and take a trip to Hawaii. Summary of Saori Yoshida Receiving the People’s Honor Award Source :YouTube screenshot The video this time introduced the press conference of Saori Yoshida after she received the People’s Honor Award. During her career, Saori Yoshida has set multiple records attracted a lot of attention as a world-class athlete. Her words of wisdom, "You won't get stronger if you don't hate losing," inspired many people to take up sports. We look forward to what she does after retirement.

This video, titled "These Bento Boxes Are Too Cute to Eat (Almost)," was released by Great Big Story. Kyaraben, the bentos so cute you don't even want to eat them, are made with rice, side dishes, and often involve cute anime character designs. In this video, you can see the world-famous Michael Jackson, former President Obama, Pokémon, Doraemon, Hello Kitty, and Mickey Mouse bentos! You'll be amazed at the quality of these kyaraben! The woman featured in the video also holds kyaraben workshops, and many people learn how to make kyaraben from her. Kyaraben are not only cute, but they also make children happy and encourage them to eat things they don't like. Take the time to enjoy this newly developed modern Japanese culture!

This video, titled "Meet the Girls Aiming to Be Japanese Idols Part 1 [Japan in Motion 2019 #20]," was released by Japan in Motion. In the first half of the video, three girls - a Japanese girl, Russian girl, and an Italian girl - talk about Japanese idols at an idol store in Akihabara. The three girls also visit a prestigious school in Hiroshima Prefecture that has produced many popular Japanese idols. Actor's School Hiroshima has produced many members of world famous idol groups, such as members of Perfume, BABYMETAL, Morning Musume, AKB48, Nogizaka48, STU48, and =LOVE. The three even got to experience a lesson with their students!

The Approach to Sake Brewing at Tokyo Port Brewery, a Free and Challenging Brewery in Tokyo's Minato Ward This video is a short documentary by Yoshimi Terasawa, who, in 2011, revived a brewery that had gone out of business in 1911. It has attracted attention for its free and challenging sake brewing, taking advantage of a once-lost tradition. Edo Kaijo is a sake made in Tokyo's Minato Ward. Be sure to give it a try. 【Official Homepage】Tokyo Port Brewery http://tokyoportbrewery.wkmty.com/

PR Video for Japan's Flyboard Championship! This is the promotion video called “Japan Flyboard Championship 2018（フライボード選手権2018 & フライボードガール～Flyboard Japan Championship～）” . As you can see from the video (0:07) , a new device called a "fly-board", that soars through the air using water pressure, is attracting a lot of attention as a new marine sport. Surprisingly, there's also a Flyboard World Championship. Flying through the air with all that freedom looks like a blast! You won't be able to keep your eyes off this new marine sport! What a Flyboard Looks Like Photo：Flyboard Flyboarding is a marine sport where a person flies from the surface of the water by using a hover-boardthat connects between a water-jet and a hose on the rider's feet. When water bursts forth from the exhaust of the personal watercraft, jets are sprayed from under the board through a hose, allowing the wearer to fly. The maximum flying height is about 9 meters (30 ft.). But it's possible to do a variety of flips and tricks with practice. You can see a lot of different tricks such as the back-flips in this video (0:23). The Japan Flyboard Championship! Source :YouTube screenshot The 2018 Japan Flyboard Championship was held at the Hachikenyahama (八軒家浜: Hachikenyahama) in Tenma, Osaka City Osaka in May, 2018. Entrants competed with each other to perform the most impressive tricks in a set time limit. As you can see in the video at 1:40, the performances of female competitors, called “Flyboard Girls”, also became famous in this championship. Besides the Japan Flyboard Championship, there's also the Flyboard World Championship as well. People from all over the world enjoy flyboarding. As you may know, flyboards are used for many shows such as the ones at Tokyo Disney Sea. Wanna Give It a Shot? Source :YouTube screenshot Recently, trial lessons have become available seaside or at lakes such as Lake Yamana ( 山中湖：Yamanakako) or Lake Kawaguchi (河口湖:Kawaguchiko). There is another activity similar to flyboarding where you can fly using a jet pack. This can be seen at 3:13 in the video. "Do I need to buy something in order to try it out?" Don’t worry about that, necessary items such as a wet suits or life jackets are available for rent. Don't worry about being a beginner either. Instructors give great guidance so there's nothing to worry about. The average lesson fee is about 6000 yen (~$55 USD). It's definitely worth trying at least once! Summary of the Japan Flyboard Championship Source :YouTube screenshot Flyboarding is not a major marine sport yet, but it has been attracting a lot of attention due to the nature of the sport's aerial freedom. If this article has you interested in flyboarding, be sure to give it a shot!

Video introduction of "Ogaki Festival's Tentative Events" in Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan This video, titled "[Full Version] Ogaki Festival [Main Ver.]" (【完全版】大垣祭の軕（ヤマ）行事【メインVer.】), shows the Ogaki Festival in Gifu prefecture. The Ogaki Festival is a traditional Japanese festival held in Ogaki, Gifu in May each year. In this article, we'll go over the history and characteristics of the festival in detail! ・What are the dates and location of the "Ogaki Festival Ceremony" in 2024? The "Ogaki Festival Dori Event" is held on the Saturday and Sunday immediately before May 15 every year. 2024 will be held over two days, May 11 and 12. It will be held at Ogaki Hachiman Shrine in Nishiogai-cho, Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture, and other locations throughout the city. What Kind of Festival is the Ogaki Festival? Source :YouTube screenshot The Ogaki Festival is said to be one of the few festivals of its kind in Japan because of the presence of tamen, which are given to the feudal lords of Ogaki, as well as yama, which are used by the townspeople. The tamen, which have unique features, such as a tamen with a puppet carousel and a tamen with children's dancing, parade through the castle town in the spring. Let's take a look back at the history of the Ogaki Festival, now a representative festival of Gifu Prefecture. The Ogaki Festival is a historic castle town festival that is said to have started around 1648 in the Edo Period. Several floats were lost due to earthquakes during the Meiji Period (1868-1912) and World War II. The nine surviving floats and accessories have been designated as Important Tangible Folk Cultural Properties of Gifu Prefecture. In 2015, the festival was designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan, and in 2016, the Ogaki Festival was registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage as one of the yama (山), hoko (鉾), and yatai (屋台) float festivals of Japan. Ogaki is the place where Matsuo Basho wrote his last haiku for "The Narrow Road to the Deep North." In spring, Ogaki holds the "Basho Festival" in honor of the great poet. How many yama (portable shrines) are paraded in the "Ogaki Festival Parade"? What are the highlights and features? Source :YouTube screenshot There are a total of 13 tents for the Ogaki Festival. Here are the characteristics of each. The three tamen, which were given by the lord of the Ogaki domain, are "Kagura tamen", "Daikoku tamen", and "Ebisu tamen", which lead the procession. The two most spectacular children's dance troupes are "Tamanoi-dama" and "Shochiku-dama". The children dancing in white makeup and gorgeous kimonos are a must-see. The following "karakuri tugs" can be seen changing their appearance quickly. The "Aioi Tento," with its fascinating "masked costume" that changes its face in an instant, the "Hotei Tento," in which a man stands on his head and opens a fan with one hand, the "Sugawara Tento," in which characters are written with a brush, the "Catfish Mountain," where an old man tries to catch a catfish, the "Sakaki Mountain," where mother goddess Amaterasu takes sakaki and bell, the "Urashima Taro," who opens a ball-shaped box, the "Atago Tento," where pigeons appear from the box Atago," in which a pigeon appears from a box, and "Shojo" in which a man sticks his head into a pot of sake. We hope you will enjoy the highlight scenes of each of these unique puppet caricatures. On the day of the parade, 13 dolls will parade through Ogaki City. The decoration of each teddy is also a highlight of the festival, which is made with traditional craft techniques such as metalwork, lacquerwork, and sculpture from the Mino region. What are the "Tengaku", "Hongaku", and "Yomiya" of the Ogaki Festival? Source :YouTube screenshot The first day of the Ogaki Festival's ttegaku procession with traditional Japanese performing arts is called "tengaku" and the second day is called "honraku". The route of the parade changes on each day. The "Yomiya" is held on the night of both days, and the "Yamamawashi," in which the lanterns of each tamen are lit and the tamen are rotated from side to side, is a different sight from the daytime. During the festival, each float plays lively music with gongs and drums, karakuri dolls perform tricks, and there's music played by the hayashi bands. The karakuri dolls can be seen at 2:05 in the video. On the day of the festival, many food stalls line the streets, so you can enjoy eating different types of Japanese food cart snacks! Summary of the Ogaki Festival Source :YouTube screenshot As shown in the video, the Ogaki Festival is an elegant yet powerful festival in the Mino region of Gifu prefecture. Throw on a yukata and head over to Ogaki in early summer to see this beautiful, traditional Japanese festival! 【Official Website】Ogaki Festival Executive Committee https://www.ogakikanko.jp/event/ogakimaturi/english/

Edo Period Recipes: Video Introduction Source :YouTube screenshot This video, titled "[2] Edo Period Food: Making it Just Like the Original Recipe" (【2】江戸時代のご飯 原典(レシピ)通り作ってみた), was uploaded by "Gens Bookshelf Cafeteria." This video introduces Edo Period food recreated based on recipes from three cookbooks published during the Edo Period: Ryori Monogatari, Tofu Hyakuchin, and Meihan Burui. The Edo Period (1603-1868 A.D.) was a period of 260 years where Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The recipes are intriguing as they introduce meals that are similar to many found in present-day Japanese cooking, while reflecting the food culture of the time. Be sure to check out what the dishes were like in the video. How Many Meals a Day in Edo Period Japan? Shogun vs. Commoner Food Culture Photo：An oil lantern During the Edo Period, people generally ate two meals a day, one in the morning and one in the evening. However, midway through the Edo Period, it's said that three meals a day became the norm. This was due to the improvement of lanterns, which allowed people move about at night. Basic meals of the common people consisted of one soup and one vegetable dish. Side dishes consisted mostly of simmered vegetables and pickled vegetables, and fish was eaten only once every two weeks or so. The tenements where the common people of Edo lived were small and cramped housing complexes. Because of the cramped kitchens, rice was cooked only once a day to ensure efficient cooking. Farmers paid a large portion of their taxes as rice, so they had little rice to eat themselves. They often ate katemeshi, rice cooked with various grains, or mochi (rice cakes) made from various grains. The diet of a samurai varied according to rank. Low-ranking samurai had the same diet as common people, while high-ranking samurai ate a wider variety of food items and ingredients. Daimyo (feudal lords) and shogun enjoyed an even wider variety of side dishes, and some lords even enjoyed fish at every meal. Depending on their social status, they may also have enjoyed sake. Another characteristic of Edo Period food was that many people began to eat out. Food stalls selling tempura and soba (buckwheat noodles) slowly began to pop up and became common among the general populace. Other popular foods were kabayaki (grilled eel covered in a sweet soy sauce) and sushi. Together with soba and tempura, these are considered the four major foods of the Edo. 3 Edo Period Cookbooks – Cook Like They Did in the Age of the Samurai Source :YouTube screenshot Here are the three books on food in the Edo Period that were featured in the video. ●Ryori Monogatari (Tales of Cooking) Ryori Monogatari is a cookbook published in 1643, in the early Edo Period. It's considered to be the oldest cookbook in Japan that provides specific cooking methods. Dishes and ingredients are listed by category, such as "sea fish" and "river fish," and cooking methods are divided into "broths," "vinegared foods," etc. This method of compiling recipes influenced later cookbooks as well. ●Tofu Hyakuchin Tofu Hyakuchin is a cookbook published in 1782, in the mid-Edo Period. It lists 100 recipes for tofu. The book introduces dishes divided into six classes, including "common" and "exquisite," and describes the cooking processes in detail. The book also includes a note that a sequel was published the following year, which suggests that tofu was a popular ingredient among the people of the Edo Period. ●Meihan Burui Meihan Burui was published in 1802, in the late Edo Period. It's a cookbook specializing in recipes involving rice, and introduces more than 140 recipes for porridge, sushi, etc. It also includes columns on the characteristics of rice by production area, showing the high level of interest in cooking with rice during the Edo Period. Fish? Meat? Vegetables? What Did People in the Edo Period Eat the Most Of? Photo：Rice bran The basic diet during the Edo Period consisted of rice, miso soup, and one side dish. From the mid-Edo Period onward, as rice production increased and rice-polishing technology improved, diets shifted from brown rice to white rice. This had an impact on food culture as well, such as the spread of pickled vegetables made from the bran produced in the rice polishing process. Side dishes for the common people consisted mainly of beans and vegetables cooked in a stew. Natto (fermented soybeans) and tofu were also commonly eaten as a source of protein. Vegetables such as daikon, komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach), and leeks were common, and these are eaten even today. Soy sauce, an essential ingredient for flavoring meals in the Edo Period, also spread to the common people in the mid-Edo Period. Many of the dishes in the book are also flavored simply with soy sauce or miso. ●Nebuka-jiru Nebuka-jiru is a miso soup with green onions. Make broth with kombu and dried sardines, and add leeks. Once cooked, miso is added and the soup is complete. [Video] 2:14 - Nebuka-jiru ●Ozasa Tofu Tofu is cooked on a skewer, then cooked in a pot with broth, soy sauce, and mirin. Beaten egg is then poured over the tofu and simmered, and then sprinkled with sansho (Japanese pepper). [Video] 3:00 - Ozasa Tofu ●Tofu Noodles Tofu crumbles and komatsuna are stir-fried, then mixed with boiled somen noodles. Season with soy sauce and serve. [Video] 4:11 - Tofu Noodles In the Edo Period diet, common people ate fish dishes only a few times a month. The common people ate inexpensive and easily obtainable fish, such as sardines and tuna. Shoguns or daimyo on the other hand, ate high-end fish such as sea bream (which were said to bring good luck), sillago, and flounder. Although eating meat was prohibited for many years, it was sometimes consumed for medicinal purposes. Summary of Food Culture in Edo Period Japan Source :YouTube screenshot In this article. we introduced a video recreating Edo Period food. By learning about meals during Edo Period Japan, you can better understand how people lived, the food culture, and the social dynamics of the time. Food is one of the many perspectives from which to understand the history of any given era. If you're curious about Japanese cooking, maybe try making some of the recipes yourself! We hope you can use this article as a reference to create some delicious dishes!